Sweden and Poland have taken the next step in the process regarding Poland's submarine acquisition. The defence ministers of both countries signed a memorandum of understanding that will serve as the basis for further negotiations. The agreement follows Poland's earlier decision to choose Sweden as a partner in its submarine programme.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Defence, Defence Minister Pål Jonson and Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz signed a memorandum of understanding that concretises the Polish-Swedish submarine cooperation and forms the basis for further negotiations.
– Today we took an important next step towards a Swedish-Polish submarine deal. Sweden and Poland together have the tools to significantly ensure security in the Baltic Sea region, and we appreciate the close cooperation with Poland, says Pål Jonson, Defence Minister, in the press release.
The agreement follows the announcement on 26 November that Poland chose Sweden as a partner for its submarine programme. This was previously reported by the Nordic Defence Sector in the article "Poland Chooses Swedish Submarines". Poland aims to acquire three Swedish A26 submarines under the ORKA programme, but no contract has yet been signed.
The Ministry of Defence's press release states that the memorandum of understanding will serve as the foundation for the ongoing negotiations between the countries. In the event of a contract signing, the deal is described as one of the largest naval export deals for Sweden.